Meal Planning

Like most working mom's.. I always have the best intentions. I want to kick @ss at work, spend quality time with my family, keep my home clean and provide delicious, healthy meals -- all without losing my marbles.

Being the wife of a picky-eater and the mom to a finicky toddler proves to be disastrous when it comes to planning ONE meal for the masses; forget about trying to tackle a week or month's worth of meals. Hubby hates left overs and chicken legs and Baby Boogie won't eat cut up chicken-- but will murda'  chicken wings any way you cook it.

What's a lady to do?!

In steps meal planning.

Now, I've tried this before and have been somewhat successful on a week to week basis. I think of what I want to cook, put it on the white board, then get pissed off when hubs crosses off a meal he doesn't want to eat. Jerk.

In an effort to cut down on my stress, I went trolling the web for how to better plan my meals. One blog I came across suggested meal planning two weeks out AND sitting down with the family to discuss what you planned to cook.

Genius!

Why didn't I think of that?

Here is an actual pic of my week #1 meal plan. Hubs looked it over and actually made Monday's meal. The icing on the cake will be if I can prep the next day's meal, the night before. Marinate the chicken, prepare the salad, etc...

Do you meal plan?

Ok Then..

I got called out by a few of my blogger friends for disappearing for three months, then posting like nothing happened...HA! Between becoming a new home owner (which I have yet to blog about..) my new commute to work, which takes me an hour and a half from door to door -- including a pit stop to drop off baby boogie.. AND my increased job duties, I have close to no time to breathe, sleep or even think about blogging.

But..

I want to change that. I'm trying to get my physical and mental life a lot more organized. So, I can do the things I enjoy, like blog.. and sleep.

Anywho, enough about that. Today, baby boogie went on his first field trip with his daycare! *tears* I almost didn't send him because it made me anxious thinking about my almost three year old out in public without me there to protect him. Sad, I know..lol. But, who is going to make sure my baby doesn't talk to strangers? WHO?!! Ugh... Not that I don't trust the daycare, because I do. They are awesome. My boo can count to ten in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Swahili & Japanese) recognizes letters, colors & numbers and is one smart little cookie. But, I am happy knowing he stays inside or in a gated fence until I safely pick him up at the end of the day.

Lawd!  I'm overreacting. I know.. Bleh!

Another one of my focuses is to be a better wife. I think I'm pretty awesome as a life partner, but.. I can do better! Especially in the communication department. I've been reading a book titled "The Language of Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and its pretty good. I love how it ties in biblical principles with common sense approaches to communicating better in your marriage. Last night, the chapter I read was focused on how we shouldn't be so focused on being in a marriage with our spouse, but how our marriage is actually a reflection of our relationship with God and we should act as though we are married to Him! The overall theme of the book is how men respond to being respected and how woman respond to being 'loved'. I think a lot of the disagreements that I have with Snappy come about, because we're talking two different languages. Duh! Right? Men are black and white and well.. I can speak for myself as a woman and say that I talk in pinks, reds, greens, yellows....lol

I've also been encouraging myself by reading daily devotionals in the morning and trying to listen to Christian radio during the day.

How do you stay positive and keep your spirit uplifted through the day?

Criminally Insane...

... My husband is. Yes. Don't try to convince me otherwise.

Let me explain.

See, for the past few months, I've been trying to debunk his myth that running the household is a shared task. Ha. Please, negro. Tell the truth and shame the devil. It's a lie. For example: if he was to come home, find me sitting on the couch in the evening, with not a scent of anything delicious on the stove, him gon'e ask me where dinner at. But, he swears that role is shared! Please.

Anywho, so for the past week, he's been cooking dinner! No prompting required. Hallelujah! Being the magnificent wife that I am, I acknowledged him and told him how much I appreciate HIM and what he's been doing.

Here's why I'm calling him crazy. This man gonna' tell ME, that he doesn't "need" to be acknowledged because I know and he knows what he's doing, so why say anything.

::blank stare::

Excuse me?

So... You don't need me to say "thank you?" Or show me appreciation?

Ok then...

CRAZY!! Lol

Bedtime..

I've never had much trouble with a bedtime routine for baby boogie. Of course, I didn't realize how blessed I was until I started swapping stories with other moms..

"He goes to bed at 7pm?!"
"I have to lay down with my daughter, rock her to sleep and give her a bottle!"

From 0-4 months, I dealt with the typical nursing, new baby, no sleep routine. After that, baby boogie wanted no parts of my boobs, so we switched to the bottle and he pretty much always slept through the night.

Until BB was about 13 months, I would give him dinner, a bath, lay him in his crib with a bottle or sippy cup and he'd go right to sleep. No drama. Minimal wake ups in the middle of the night.

A few months before his second birthday, BB didn't want a sippy cup at bedtime anymore.

Score!

He was content with being tucked in and the lights going off. No tears, no fanfare.. just his blanky and a kiss on the forehead.

Once we moved into our new casa, I wanted to have a typical bedtime. You know, like the kind you see on TV? lol.

Baby Boogie is turning 3 in September and can actually sit still for a story now.  So, my evening routine routine looks something like this:

Bath
Dinner
Play/TVtime
Story
Bed

Now, BB goes to bed at 8:30pm. I let him watch a little bit of TV, then at 8:25 I say, "come on baby boogie, its time to go read a story".

You notice I don't say 'Its bed time!"

Oh no.. don't say that!

For some reason, THAT is upsetting to him. But, he knows that reading a story means he's going to bed. Strange...

Anywho, We read three books. One in his rocking chair, then I tuck him in and read the other two books. Afterwards, we say our prayers and I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on repeat -- about five times.

{{blank stare}}

I posted that on Twittah the other night and of course the responses were hilarious!

But, this is what works 99% of the time.

That 1% fail?

When I let Snappy put him to bed!!

I give this man step by step instructions. A serious ZERO fail way for a successful bed time and Baby Boogie is always pissed.

"did you say prayers with him?"

YES!

"did you sing the song?"

YES!

I always end up having to do damage control and an abbreviated version of the routine.
1 book
Short prayer
1 loop of the song...

Snappy says I'm showing off when I do that...

You know what I say?

Don't hate the player sir. Hate the game!

If you're a parent, do you have a 'no fail' approach to bedtime?

Running!

One would think that losing thirty pounds wouldn't be this huge undertaking. Correct? Exercise, change my eating habits, etc...

Welp, let me tell you. Sh*t ain't been no crystal stair. Since I've had baby boogie, ohhhh.... 2plus years ago, I've been trying to get back to my pre baby size.

To date I've only lost 11 pounds.

Yay.. cue the chorus..uh huh... that's great and all, BUT I'm still a dress size too big.

So, I've decided I'm going to run the weight off.

I always see white folks running and looking so carefree..making it look so easy! So of course I though, I can do that! 

Then I noticed a lot of my cool blogger friends run, like Jameil.. K.Rock..

Black girls run too!

I can BE one of them. In my cool N.ikes and spandex..

So, in my effort to be a cool running mom, I've forced asked Jameil to be my virtual coach, simply because she's awesome! She runs, eats fried food and drinks beer. My bestie in my head, a girl after my heart.

Lord knows I've struggled and its only been THREE days!

But, I'm going to stick with it. Run my little heart out, melt this weight off and reach my goal of running a 5k in the fall.

Every step I take brings me just a bit closer to my dreams of being a MILF...

Dirty 30...

I turned 30 on Tuesday.

According to my mom.. I was born during a snow storm in April.

The morning of my birthday, I went about my usual routine, devotions, bathroom, hustle to get baby boogie dressed, while avoiding a toddler meltdown..

During my quiet time, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. I was overcome by this heart swelling happiness to be 30. I took a quick mental stroll down memory lane and envisioned the people that have come and gone in my life. My days as a 'party girl'. Meeting Snappy, giving birth.. and everything in between.

I was overcome with joy because although I've struggled, I've had a really good life. I can honestly say I have it ALL-- I'm HAPPY.

On my 25th birthday I started this blog. I wanted to capture my life experiences and share them. Then, I was living on my own, 'dating' and just living my life. I wouldn't have even imagined that five years later I'd be married with a family and a career. I'm blessed beyond measure. I cried tears of joy the morning of my birthday. I've come so far, learned so much and have grown into a woman that I'm proud of. It's amazing to me, for my friends to say "I set a good example".

I'm very excited to see what my 30's have in store for me and I'm elated that my 20's are over! Snappy told me "your 30's are about putting into action everything that you learned in your 20's.."


Thanks to my blogger family for reading my joys and pains. If you've been here since day one, or just started reading, thanks for your comments, laughing with me and shaking your head at my random encounters.

Random Foolery

First of all.. How about, not only did I just move into my neighborhood full of retirees and working class folks. And.. not only are we one of I THINK two black families on the block..

BUT..

I got robbed last week!

*GASP*

Ok, maybe not 'robbed' exactly. But, my car was broken into.

Ok, maybe not 'broken into' since we left the doors open..

BUT...

Some jerk walked their happy ass up my driveway, opened my car door, riffled through the glovebox AND took the radio face.

Not the radio.

{{blank stare}}

 Clearly an idiot, yes?

Oh.

The kicker?

We had a DVD player in the backseat and its still there!!!

{{insert uncontrollable laughter here}}

So, here Snappy and I are thinking we were targeted (as the new black folks on the street...) being all paranoid.

Anywho.. I hadn't met any of my neighbors until this past Saturday when I let baby boogie and the step daughter play in the backyard, because they were getting on my bloodclot nerves and it was such a nice day outside.

Next thing I know, I'm hanging over my fence chit chatting with my neighbor letting the kids play with her kids and we're having a merry old gay time.

I tell her about the 'break in' and she says "Oh you too!! That happened too Tod and Mary!"

{{wipping my brow}}

WHEEEW!! Thank God! Welp.. not "thank God they got robbed too..." But, thank God we weren't targeted!


Come to find out, the idiot(s) riffled through most cars on the block looking for change and anything else they could high jack.

Jerks.

The weird thing is. I didn't feel violated or unsafe, I mostly felt annoyed! A real robber would have SEEN the DVD player, or ripped my radio out instead of just taking the face off.

Amateurs...

Day 22

Day 22.. "Where I Work"

I stepped out of the camera frame of my Mac iPhoto.Booth for this shot. Can you see my cobalt blue sleeve? lol

This picture is one of my favorite pics on my office wall. It says Jazz Fest Berlin 85'.

I saved the art after it had been abandoned in a random closet, because the frame was broken. Our physical plant department will reframe art work for free! So, I got it done up and its an eye catcher.

The wooden statue was given to me by an old co-worker and followed me to this gig. The little orange book is titled "Do What You Love"..

There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don't do them - Charles D. Gill

Clearly...

I SUCK at this "blog everyday" thing.

HAHA! #fail.

Anywho...

Day 8!

The sun...

It didn't say the actual sun. Hmph..

In other exciting news.. Baby Boogie got his first "goose egg" on his little bitty two year old forehead.

((insert 'awe' here...))

He cried when he knocked his noggin on the hardwood floor and was back runing minutes after, like he didn't have a hilarious knot on his head.

Boys..

Photo A Day!

As promised, because I just knew ya'll thought I wasn't going to blog, hmph...

I'm doing the Photo A Day challenge!

1# My View Today

See now...

....here I am making my best attempt at regular blogging.

See? SEE??


I visited a blogger I love to hate, Jameil and not only did she call me out for not blogging

{serious side eye}

but, she had a cool tag that I want in on!

So, it goes something like:

• Tell 11 random things about myself
• Answer 11 from the blog I got the "tag" from
• and..ask 11 more questions, for someone else to answer.

YAY!

Heeeeeere we go:

1. When  I get scared, my under arms tingle uncomfortably, for like 5 minutes. True story.
2. I have NO rhythm. At all. Not even a cool two step. But, I fake the funk.
3. I only turn clockwise in the shower. If I turn counter clockwise, I have to turn around and start again. Don't judge me.
4. I absolutely HATE shaking people's hands. Despise it. I'm pretty sure quite a few people think I'm rude because I never offer my hand to shake, lol.
5. I have THE weirdest nickname. Its "Shizz". Snappy & a few of his friends call me by that name, and a couple of my friends. When people hear someone refer to me as "Shizz", no one even bats an eye, like its normal! lol.
6. For the past 10 years I thought I was 5'11. I went to the doctor this year and she said I'm only 5'9. I'm shrinking!! *runs out of the room crying*
7. When I'm thinking, I like to play with the cartilage on the tip of my nose.
8. I didn't try very hard to loose weight after I had my son, because the extra weight made it look like I had a butt-- I'm a hot chick with no @ss...
9. My mom didn't let me wear pants until I was 13. 
10. My first pair of jeans were forest green levi's.
11. Five years ago I prayed to God that I would buy my first house before I turned 30. True to his word I closed on my crib two Fridays ago. 3 months before my 30th birthday. 30..3 months.. see the sign?!
12.  [blank stare]

Ok, here are the questions for me to answer from Jameil's blog:

1)  Is there anything you’ll eat one way, but not another?  

I refuse to eat eggs with runny yolks. I like the idea of them. But, can't eat em'.. nope. Won't do it.

2) What food do you absolutely refuse to eat and is there anything that can change your mind? Like if your favorite chef EVER prepared it, would you eat it?

I'm not a picky eater. AT. ALL. I'll try anything once. 

3) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Good question. I'm hoping I'll have my masters and be a step higher in my career. Maybe with baby #2. MAYBE.

4) Where’s your favorite vacation spot?

Hands down, Jamaica. Irie Mon!

5) How did you decide to live where you live right now?

Snappy REFUSED to buy a house in the city. We wanted to be close, but far enough... 

6) What's the riskiest thing you've ever done?

Tell my second real boss "F*UCK YOU!!!!!" True story. That was about 8 years ago and I have since grown up,  lol

7) If money was no object and all your bills were paid indefinitely, how would you spend the next year?

Hot d@mn... I think I'd take random vacations.

8) Do you like your family?

Occasionally..

9) What's your favorite drink?

A well made Margarita. Rocks. Salt on the rim.

10) What's one thing you can eat and eat and never get tired of?

I have to choose just ONE thing?! Fresh, hot, cooked on the stove top popcorn drizzled with melted butter.

11) Is there a smell that instantly reminds you of something or someone else?

Jergens lotions reminds me instantly of my mom. That is her claim to fame, lol

So here is where I ask 11 questions for YOU to answer. And by 'you' I'm pointing at all of you's! Let me know you answered, so I can check em' out:

1. Do you have an embarrassing nickname that only your close family and friends call you? Do tell!
2. What happened the first time you remember being truly embarrassed?
3. Is the career you're in now the one you imagined as a young adult?
4. If money or career wasn't an issue and you could move anywhere in the world, where would it be?
5. What's your favorite guilty pleasure meal?
6. What's the one thing you do when you get nervous?
7. If you could do one thing over in your life again, what would it be?
8. What's one skill you wish you had?
9. If you could be loved and famous or hated and rich, which would you be?
10. What would you change about your physical appearance?
11. If you could switch places with someone for a day, who would it be?

Where have I been?

**peeks over edge of keyboard**

::whispering:: Hello.. ::taps mic:: Is this thing on?


Where have I been... what have I been doing in the past five weeks since I last posted?!

SO MUCH! OH SO MUCH!

1) I got a new boss at work. Hate her. #thatisall

2) I have a toddler. He's two. Occasionally I talk about his antics on Twittah. He keeps me laughing. And very busy.

3) Snappy and I FINALLY closed on our house! *praise break* It only took three extensions because the bank doesn't care about deadlines that you and only you are legally obligated too. Or your deposit. But, I digress...

4) I've been moving. Slowly. One box at a time. Hi, my name is ShaBoogie and occasionally I'm lazy. But, after working all day, then coming home to wrangle a toddler and his daddy, I'm plum tired and don't feel like packing. Hmph...

5) The process of buying a house had my head spinning. I've never signed more papers or asked more question in all of my 29 years. I'm blessed and excited, but dang nabbit, I'm mentally exhausted at this point. I've experienced every possible emotion: excitement, sadness, anger, nervousness, coffee jitters, hysteria.. you name it, I experienced it.

*sigh*...

But, here I stand! Happy to be embarking on this new journey as a homeowner and to make sure I post regularly in February, I'm going to take part in this cool challenge I found over at Tarsha's blog called: Picture a Day!

Don't look at me like that. I know I always say I'll blog more.. lol

What have YOU been up too?